THE IMPACT OF COMPUTERIZATION IN THE GROWTH OF NIGERIAN ECONOMY (A CASE STUDY OF SOLIVE OIL MANUFACTURING COMPANY NIGERIA LIMITED) CHAPTER ONE
1.0
INTRODUCTION
Nigeria, like most developing countries is an
“Information poor” country. Most of Nigeria’s wealth and power comes from the
control of physical assets-land, oil, iron steel, coal e.t.c But in the 21st
century, this cannot continue to happen. The main source of value and
competitive advantage in the new economy is human and intellectual capital.
With a present population of about 150 million people, Nigeria in theory has
the capacity to make a successful transition into a truly knowledge driven
economy.
1.1
DETAILS OF THE PROPOSED STUDY
For the purpose of this report or rather,
project, the term “Information technology” shall be adopted to include all
computer based activities that derive from the convergent disciplines of
microelectronics, computing and telecommunications and that have led to the
reorganization of the processes of production, distribution and circulation in
Nigerian society.
With Solive oil manufacturing company Nigeria
limited, one of such production companies specialized in oil production will
have to take note that exciting trends are sweeping across the world. In
advanced economics “knowledge” is fast becoming a strategic asset for economic development.
Technological advances and globalization are gathering pace. Advances in
information and communication technology are occurring on a tremendous scale
and every organization looking to improve with great innovation must key in.
1.2
ENUMERATION/PROBLEM ASSOCIATED WITH THE CASE STUDY
The problem associated with Solive oil
manufacturing company is such that should not be taken lightly. According to
one of the staffs interviewed, most of problems are caused by most of problems
are caused by mismanagement of funds. This has become a general problem ruling
in the Nigeria society today, beginning from the federal government down to the
private sector. If Nigerian economy is to improve, the management must act with
strict polices such that would put a check to every activity and misuse of
company funds.
Other problems associated with the case study
are listed below:
vInadequate policies that would put a check
to activities on site and on management as well,
vLack of technical know-how: in the 21st
century where computers are used to make jobs easier and faster, many of the
staffs has not the knowledge to operate and techniques to work in such fields.
vInadequate training of employee
vInadequate safety kits and training
All of which sum up a great deal of let down
in production and improvement in strategies of work. Without taken a good look
into these problems, the Nigerian economy will grow.
1.3
PURPOSE OF THE STUDY
The purpose of the study hovers around
identifying all or some of the problems associated with information technology
and communication in Solive oil manufacturing industry as to the growth of
Nigeria’s economy, and seeking ways to change this problems so as to improve
the country’s economy, since ITC adoption is one of the key factors fueling
economic and community development both in the urban and rural areas of the
country.
1.4
RESEARCH QUESTIONS ON THE STUDY
To improve on the poor situation of the
Nigerian economy using Solive oil as a case study, one needs to ask oneself
several questions some of which are:
ØWhat is meant by economy of a country?
ØWhat is the significance of a good economy?
ØHow can one affect an economy positively?
ØWhat is information communication and
technology?
ANSWERS TO THE ABOVE QUESTIONS
What is meant be economy of a country?
The economy of a country is meant by the
relationship between production, trade and the supply of money on a particular
country.
What is the significance of a good economy?
The significance of a good economy is that
there would be a better life in the aspect of low cost of living.
How can one affect an economy positively?
An economy can be affected positively if one
can detect the cause of its economic problems. Most economic problems or a
better economy is mostly affected by its small scale business sector.
What is information communication and
Technology?
Information communication and Technology is
defined in the document “Interactive Education: An Information and
Communication Technologies Strategy for Schools” Ministry of Education, 1998)
as: “Information Technology (IT) is the term used to describe the items of
equipment (hard ware) and computer programs (software) that allows us to
access, retrieve, store, organize, manipulate and present information by
electronic means.
Communication Technology (IT) is the term
used to describe telecommunications equipment through which information can be
sought and accessed.
1.5
IMPORTANCE OF THE RESEARCH
Nigeria has probably taken care of the
greatest political hurdle facing it since independence by putting in place a
democratically elected government. However, the time is now ripe to shift
emphasis onto something equally important. To bring lasting peace, economic
freedom and prosperity to its people.
Nigeria needs a change of direction. The
forces of change outside Nigeria are drawing the need for change within it.
Therefore to maintain itself on a pace with the test of the world and to be
able to compete successfully in the fast moving world economy, Nigeria has to
radically reform itself.
1.6
RANGE OF THE STUDY
The range of the study includes all aspects
of economic production down to the educational sector, industrial sector,
agriculture, geography, commerce and industry and other aspects including the
development of the rural and improvement on urban areas of the country.
The range of study needed to be wide because
unlike UK and US, Nigeria is far behind.
1.7
LIMITATION OF THE STUDY
The project work was limited greatly by the
following factors:
üTime Constraint: The time available to
carryout this cumbersome project was short as a result of a perfect work was
hundred but the result and achievement of the work was commendable.
üFinancial constraint: To carryout a project
this type, money is required, which was found difficult to raise at some point
of the research work.
üInadequacy of information: The management of
Solive Oil Manufacturing company were not cooperative, thereby making the
gathering of information on the company difficult.